Minor Hoops Strong As Ever in Prince George

By Kelly Sharp

         Prince George Minor Basketball Play Day at Civic Centre

 Thirty four years ago, the Prince George Minor Basketball Association was formed out of the idea to allow youngsters, of all ability, a chance to play the game of hoops. “Everybody is going to play,” said Tom Masich, founder of PG Minor basketball when reflecting on the objective of the very first executive. Grass roots basketball with no scores and no statistics brought together 130 youth in November of 1973. The initial registration fee was $3 per youngster.

Louise Holmes, president of Prince George Minor Basketball Association, is proud the philosophy of participation is still very much the motto of the minor basketball program. Four hundred and thirty-five boys and girls, Grade 3 to Grade 8, enrolled this winter to develop their basketball skills. A two-hour commitment each weekend is broken into one hour of skill development and a one hour game. The 8 -11 year-olds receive coaching instruction while going through game situations.

Seventy-five volunteer coaches and a ten member volunteer executive provide the stability for Prince George minor basketball. The Association is pursuing the possibility of moving the 12 and 13 year-old programs to the UNBC Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre next fall.  “We hope to develop coaches as well as kids,” said Holmes. She noted the three basketball court layout of the UNBC facility would be ideal for instruction.

The eight year-old girls give each other high-fives after sinking a basketball. The Prince George Minor Basketball Association play day signals the end to another successful season. Each player is wearing a Steve Nash Youth Basketball jersey subsidized by the NBA MVP who supports BC basketball youth programs. If past history means anything, some of the young players who are learning the basics in minor basketball will become future stars for Prince George high school basketball teams.

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